Houston Matters
Houston Matters

Houston Matters

Houston Public Media

Overview
Episodes

Details

Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we’ll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston…well…Houston! We’ll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.

Recent Episodes

Houston’s global economy (May 3, 2024)
MAY 3, 2024
Houston’s global economy (May 3, 2024)

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On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather recaps a busy week in weather, provides the latest on storms and flooding from Thursday and outlines what we can expect the rest of Friday and through the weekend.

Also this hour: Patrick Jankowski of the The Greater Houston Partnership joins us to discuss the state of Houston’s global economy.

Then, from the University of Houston using “Houston blue” uniforms, despite threats from the NFL, to rapper Kendrick Lamar confusing Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we talk with the stars of The Alley Theatre’s production of Jane Eyre.

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47 MIN
Transportation projects in limbo (May 2, 2024)
MAY 2, 2024
Transportation projects in limbo (May 2, 2024)

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On Thursday's show: There have now been a few different city transportation and mobility projects halted – or even reversed – since Mayor John Whitmire took office in January. Are they just isolated projects in need of review, or are Houston’s years-long efforts to become more walkable and bikeable…over? We talk it over.

Also this hour: We consider ways to minimize or eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

Then, with Cinco de Mayo approaching, we discuss how holidays like it come to popularity and become about something completely different.

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46 MIN
The week in politics (May 1, 2024)
MAY 1, 2024
The week in politics (May 1, 2024)

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On Wednesday's show: Legal action continues in connection with the kidney and liver transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. In April, the hospital halted those transplants due to a “pattern of irregularities with donor acceptance criteria.” We get an update on the story and learn about a woman whose husband died while waiting for a liver transplant.

Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Then, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, food writers discuss their favorite underrated restaurants and hidden gems around the city. 

And Stages Houston is presenting a fresh take on a Shakespearean classic. Othello: The Remix blends hip-hop and a rotating stage to bring new life to the themes found in the Bard’s classic work.

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49 MIN
Title IX and transgender discrimination (April 30, 2024)
APR 30, 2024
Title IX and transgender discrimination (April 30, 2024)

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On Tuesday's show: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over revised Title IX rules that would expand discrimination protections to transgender students.

Also this hour: On the heels of protests at college campuses over the war in Gaza, including some protests here in Texas, we discuss what a Supreme Court non-decision signals about the future of protests in Texas and other states.

Then: The latest about changing guidance surrounding cancer screening.

And this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture examines some of the social and political issues at play in the movie Civil War.

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47 MIN
Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport (April 29, 2024)
APR 29, 2024
Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport (April 29, 2024)

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On Monday's show: We get an update on severe weather and flooding overnight around the region. And we explore how Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport will affect travelers.

Also this hour: The city of Corpus Christi is pursuing development of the state’s first ocean desalination project. Turning ocean salt water into healthy drinking water would have some obvious benefits, but could it have a negative impact on the environment? And we learn about a desalination project here in Houston.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.

And, on the heels of the NFL Draft, Jeff Balke reflects on how Houston sports teams have fared in drafts over the years -- who were some of the biggest successes and the biggest busts?

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48 MIN